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# MEVideoDecoderExtension

A protocol that defines a factory to create new video decoders for a codec type that the extension implements.

```
protocol MEVideoDecoderExtension : NSObjectProtocol
```

## Discussion

This protocol provides a factory method to create a new [`MEVideoDecoder`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoder) instance for a codecType implemented by the extension. A single [`MEVideoDecoderExtension`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoderExtension) is instantiated by the `VideoToolbox`, and will be called to create individual [`MEVideoDecoder`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoder) instances as needed. If the codecType or `FormatDescription` passed to [`makeVideoDecoder(codecType:videoFormatDescription:videoDecoderSpecifications:pixelBufferManager:)`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoderExtension/makeVideoDecoder(codecType:videoFormatDescription:videoDecoderSpecifications:pixelBufferManager:)) is not compatible with the [`MEVideoDecoder`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoder) implementation, the factory call should fail and return [`MEError.Code.unsupportedFeature`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEError-swift.struct/Code/unsupportedFeature).

## Topics

### Creating a video decoder

[`-  init`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoderExtension/init())

Creates a new video decoder factory.

[`-  videoDecoderWithCodecType:videoFormatDescription:videoDecoderSpecifications:extensionDecoderPixelBufferManager:error:`](/documentation/MediaExtension/MEVideoDecoderExtension/makeVideoDecoder(codecType:videoFormatDescription:videoDecoderSpecifications:pixelBufferManager:))

Creates a new video decoder that matches the codec type, format description, decoder specifications, and pixel buffer manager that you specify.

## Relationships

### Inherits From

[`NSObjectProtocol`](/documentation/ObjectiveC/NSObjectProtocol)

---

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